County approves budget/tax rate

WAXAHACHIE – Ellis County Commissioners, along with Judge Todd Little, approved the county’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget on September 10 in the amount of $210 million.

Wilmer hosts ‘Picture Wilmer 2040’

WILMER – It has been several years since the City of Wilmer initiated its long-range planning effort called the Picture Wilmer 2040 Plan.

Inland port receives $25-million grant

WILMER – The Dallas County Inland Port is in receipt of a $25 million grant awarded to Dallas County by the U.S. Department of Transportation.The $25 million is earmarked to advance the Dallas County Inland Port Multimodal Connectivity Project, which will benefit the cities of Wilmer and Lancaster.

Sheriff’s investigators look for answers in double death

WAXAHACHIE – The Ellis County Sheriff’s Department received a call at its 911 dispatch Wednesday, Sept. 11 at around 7:42 a.m. regarding two deceased people.The call indicated two people were at a home in the 9600 block of Baucum Road in Midlothian.

Ellis County’s Fitch rating score upgraded by 2

WAXAHACHIE – Ellis County Judge Todd Little announced on Aug. 30, the county’s Fitch rating out of New York was upgraded by two levels.“We went from an AA- to an AA+, and what we call instead of a neutral look at the county – the county of Ellis is now in the positive criteria.

Motorcycle accident in Ferris Sunday evening shuts down NB I-45

FERRIS – Just one day after SB Interstate 45 was shut down for hours following a deadly crash in Dallas between Loop 12 and Simpson Stuart Road leaving four dead, NB I-45 was also shut down Sunday night, Sept. 16 in Ferris at exit 267 for several hours.

Red Oak police investigating aggravated assault with deadly weapon

RED OAK – Red Oak Police responded to an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon call last week in the 500 block of Ivy Court.The suspect was described as Hispanic male, 19-years-old with a teardrop tattoo and neck tattoos, last seen wearing grey shirt, black shorts.

Commissioner Ponder, pct. 3, tells court to hold his 2025 salary increase

WAXAHACHIE – Ellis County Commissioner Louis Ponder, pct. 3, made the decision to forego his upcoming fiscal year 2025 elected official increase earlier this month.

ELLIS COUNTY SHERIFF’S MANHUNT ENDS SUCCESSFULLY

MIDLOTHIAN – The Ellis County Sheriff’s Department successfully located the suspect who Grand Prairie Police officers had been searching for after the individual fled from police during an encounter Saturday, Sept. 14.

How much surveillance is too much?

ELLIS COUNTY – A recent article in the Texas Observer stated this past summer the Texas Department of Public Safety signed a plan for over $5 million for a five-year contract for an in-depth surveillance system to disrupt possible terrorism.